NEW YORK — President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden arrived in New York City on Monday morning to attend a memorial service for the late father of Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The Bidens arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan for the 90-minute event honoring the life of Donald Blinken, a former banker, arts philanthropist and U.S. Ambassador to Hungary.
Donald Blinken died in his East Hampton home on Sept. 22 at age of 96.
Antony Blinken credited his late father with inspiring him to enter a career in politics and diplomacy, especially after Donald was appointed ambassador to Hungary by President Bill Clinton in 1994.
“My family lost a parent and grandparent, a source of love and inspiration,” the nation’s top diplomat wrote on social media.
The Bidens arrived at the closed service around 11 a.m. and left around 12:30 pm for a flight back to Washington, D.C., where he’s expected to speak on gas prices in the Roosevelt Room later Monday. The president and first lady will then host children of first responders and the National Guard for trick or treating on the South Lawn.
Born in Yonkers, the elder Blinken co-founded E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Company, was a prominent donor to Jewish and Democratic causes, and was an enthusiastic art collector, specifically modern painter Mark Rothko. Eventually, Blinken became president of the Mark Rothko Foundation and oversaw the donation of about 1,000 Rothko artworks to museums.
Before Donald Blinken became ambassador, according to The New York Times, his government postings included membership in a judicial nominating panel named by President Jimmy Carter and appointments to the State University of New York’s board by Gov. Hugh L. Carey and Gov. Mario M. Cuomo.
Donald Blinken is survived by his son; his wife; his brother, Alan; and two grandchildren.
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